2012 Kawasaki Teryx4 750 4x4 Preview

More passengers, more power ... more Teryx

Story by Lucas Cooney, Oct. 10, 2011

Kawasaki has been churning out its popular Teryx Side-x-Side for about four years now. We’ve spent many hours behind the wheel of the Teryx, including a memorable two-day trip from Big Bear, Calif. to Las Vegas, Nev. For 2012 Kawasaki is looking to take the Teryx to another level by adding two more seats and a host of changes to create the Teryx4 750.

Consumers will get to choose between four different versions of the Teryx4 – Teryx4 750 4x4, Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS, Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS Camo, and Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS LE. We’ll look at the differences between these four models later, but first let us tackle the similarities.

Seating seems the obvious place to start and as you’ve probably figured out by now the Teryx4 has room for four people. To make room for the extra two passengers Kawasaki had to make some major alterations to the frame. An all-new square-tube steel frame acts as the backbone of the Teryx4 and it features what Kawasaki calls a Double-X frame design with two X-shaped cross members bridging the box structures from corner to corner.

As for the heart of the beast, the Teryx4 is powered by a liquid cooled, fuel injected, 749cc V-Twin engine – none of which sounds any different than the mill powering the original two-seat Teryx. Where it differs is the addition of 15 percent more power. Kawasaki isn’t clear on how the extra power was attained, but we’ll let you know when we find out. That new power is refined by an updated electronic fuel injection system, which features what Kawasaki calls new fine-atomizing 12-hole injectors.

Helping to get the power to the ground is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that features a centrifugal clutch assembly and an electrically selectable 4WD system with instant-switch access to 2WD, 4WD and 4WD + front differential lock system.

Connecting the Teryx4 to terra firma are large 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. Handling is further aided by what Kawasaki calls sport-focused independent suspension that features single-chamber gas-charged and pre-load adjustable shocks with 7.8 in. of travel up front and fully adjustable shocks with piggyback reservoirs with 8.2 in. of travel in the rear. Kawasaki boasts that the suspension is comfortable with four people on board while performing like a sporting Side-x-Side when you’re riding solo or with a single passenger. We’re eager to put Kawasaki’s claims to the test.

Stopping power comes courtesy of 200mm high-performance hydraulic discs up front gripped by dual-piston calipers. The brakes are recessed within the wheels to protect them from debris and feature steel-braided brake lines. In the rear is Kawasaki’s familiar internal wet brake, which completely seals internal components from mud and water.

When it comes to four-seat Side-x-Sides, the Teryx4 is rather compact with an 86.1-inch wheelbase. As a comparison, the Polaris Ranger RZR 4 800 has a 103-inch wheelbase and the Polaris Ranger Crew 800 has a 108-inch wheelbase. Kawasaki says that this smaller wheelbase allows for a surprisingly compact 16.7-foot turning radius.

A quick look at the cargo box might help explain the shorter wheelbase. The Teryx4 cargo bed is 47.6 by wide by 17.9 in. long by 8.7 in. high. That’s significantly smaller than the cargo box on the two-seat Teryx, which has measurements of 44.2 in. wide by 32.7 in. long by 11.1 in. high. In addition to losing almost 15 inches in length, the Teryx4 cargo box has half the carrying capacity of the two-seat Teryx (249 pounds compared to 500 pounds). That’s slightly less capacity than the Ranger RZR 4 800 (42 x 22 x 6.5), which can carry 300 pounds and a small fraction of the Ranger Crew 800 (54 x 36.5 x 11.5) and its 1000 carrying capacity. Towing duties shouldn’t be an issue, however, as the Teryx4 can haul 1,300 pounds.

All four occupants will appreciate the two DC sockets – one in front, another in back – providing 120 watts of electrical power. A 7.9-gallon fuel tank (larger than the two-seat Teryx and RZR 4) should keep you out on the trails for much of the day. Other conveniences include four cup holders, an auto-style parking brake, and an easy-open front hood that provides access to the front suspension, coolant reservoir, air filter and electrical equipment. Finally, a multi-function electronic display provides a ton of useful information: Speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer and hour meter, clock, dual trip meters, 2WD/4WD indicator, front differential indicator light, parking brake indicator, water temp and fuel injection warning indicators, and reverse indicator light.

The base-model Teryx4 740 4x4 retails for $13,399 and is available in Sunbeam Red or Scout Green.

Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS

We’ve long been proponents of power steering and we’re thrilled that Kawasaki has added it to the Teryx4. A machine of this size will be hugely helped by power steering. According to Kawasaki, its Electric Power Steering (EPS) system offers the easiest, lowest-effort and most precise steering characteristics in all of four-wheeling. We can’t speak for that until we get behind the wheel, but no doubt it will offer a much smoother ride than the base model Teryx4.

EPS offers additional damping on straights, especially on rougher surfaces, and there’s also less steering kickback and bump-steer when tackling rougher terrain. Low-speed handling and steering ease are improved, too, which no doubt makes tricky situations and low-speed work much easier to deal with.

According to Kawasaki, the key to the Teryx4’s light-steering comes from the same basic system used on Kawasaki’s Mule: a Showa-built system that doesn’t use a traditional power-steering pump so there’s no drain on engine power. Also, the system only works when the engine is running, so there’s no battery drain. As with most EPS systems, you’ll get more assistance during slow-speed use, and less as speeds increase.

The Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS retails for $14,399 and is available in Vibrant Blue.

Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS Camo

Hunters and outdoorsmen will no doubt be drawn to the Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS Camo. It shares all the traits as the regular EPS version with the added benefit of Realtree APG HD camouflage. According to Kawasaki, this pattern is designed to mimic the look of a woodland area. The camo can be found across the body panels, doors and wheels.

The Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS Camo retails for $14,999.

Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS LE

For those that want the best of the best, Kawasaki offers the Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS LE. It offers all the features of the regular EPS model, along with 12-spoke cast aluminum wheels, a cab roof bolted to the ROPS structure, a deflector windshield and an automotive-quality paint finish with scratch-resistant material used throughout.

The Teryx4 750 4x4 EPS LE retails for $15,199 and is available in Sunrise Yellow or Aztec Red.